Explore the Native American Nations

The Native American Nations of North America cultivated the natural resources around them to provide food and housing

materials.

They adapted to their environments, and their culture grew from those

adaptations.

Just as the climate and geography of North America varies tremendously, so

too did the cultural groups that scattered across our great continent.

Click to learn more about them.

* USGS Map

Click on an area of the map to learn about the Native peoples who lived there. Use your field book to record the

important details you find. Click the map icon in the top left corner to return to this page

at any time.

Hopi of the SouthwestThe Hopi:

Lived in the low, flat desert and high plateaus of the dry Southwest

Grew beans, squash, and maize (corn )

Built large “pueblo” homes with many rooms

Were the first in the world to fire clay pottery

Photograph courtesy The Library of Congress

What did they live in? What did their houses look like?

The Hopi lived in pueblos made of adobe (clay and straw bricks- sometimes called adobe houses).

Each home had a Kiva- a ceremonial room used for religion, celebrations, and trade.

Protection: Early pueblos had only one or two entrances that were located on the roof. Step ladders were used to reach the opening and upper levels.

Picture of a pueblo

What did the Hopi eat?The Hopi grew crops

such as corn, beans, and squash.

They hunted animals as well (small rabbits).

What did their clothes look like? What did they wear?

The Hopi were excellent weavers and wove clothing and blankets from cotton.

What did they make?

The Pawnee IndiansWhere did they live?

The Pawnee Indians lived in the Great Plains area which includes such states as Nebraska, Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota.

What did the Pawnee Indians live in?

During most of the year, the Pawnee lived in mound houses made of sod called an earth lodge.

During the Buffalo season, the Pawnee lived in portable homes called teepees

What did the Pawnee Indians eat?

The Pawnee grew beans, squash, sunflowers, and other vegetation.

With the introduction of horses, the Pawnee grew more dependent on buffalo, which they hunted twice a year.

What did they wear?The Pawnee Indians wore clothing made from animal skins.

Feather Headdress for ceremonies worn by chief.

Interesting FactsThe Pawnee used every part of a buffalo, nothing was wasted.

The Kwakiutl IndiansWhere did they live?

The Kwakiutl Indians lived on the Pacific Northwest Coast

Kwakiutl of the NorthwestThe Kwakiutl: Lived near the Pacific

coast. Built large homes

from cedar trees called longhouses.

Caught a surplus of salmon, which they dried and ate year-round. They also hunted whales and fished other sea life. The Kwakiutls hunted game around them, such as deer and caribou.

Use your field book to guide your search and record your answers.

Photograph courtesy The Library of Congress

More on the Kwakiutls… The Kwakiutls wore clothing made

from animal skins and cedar (type of tree).

The Kwakiutls were excellent carpenters (Think of all the trees that were surrounding them!)

They made canoes and totem poles from long trunks.

Totem poles were used in front of a home to tell of the native stories.

Seminoles of the SoutheastThe Seminoles:

Lived in what is now known as Florida

Wore light clothing made of grass and thin cloth

Built roundhouses called chickees. They were made of wooden poles covered with clay and bark, sometimes without walls.

What did they eat? The Seminole Indians were farmers.

They ate corn, beans, and squash. They also hunted fish, deer, turkey,

and alligator.

What did they make?They are known

for their beautiful baskets, wood carvings, and beadwork, and patchwork designs.

They also made canoes for transportation from cypress logs to hunt fish.

The Inuit of Alaska and Northwest CanadaInuit:

Lived in the extreme arctic climate of Northwest Canada

Traveled and fished along the ocean and seashore every season.

Built “igloo” homes out of ice and snow during the winter. Sod houses and tents made of animal skins were used during the summer.

Wore thick clothing made from caribou (reindeer) and seal hides

Use your field book to guide your search and record your answers.

Greetings, Historian! Check out the above links to discover ways the Inuit used the

natural resources around them.

Photograph courtesy The National Archives

Salmon, whale, seal, and other animals were a staple (common food source) for the Inuits.

The igloos, though made of ice, still provided warmth that was needed to survive in the harsh environment

The Inuit of Alaska and Northwest Canada

Inuit Village in the Wintertime

Nez Perce of the NorthwestThe Nez Perce:

Lived in the plateaus and the valleys of what is now known as north central Idaho, Montana, northeastern Oregon, and southeastern Washington, an area of about seventeen million acres.

Traveled and fished along their many rivers every season.

Migrated to hunt and gather during summer and fall.

Use your field book to guide your search and record your answers.

Photograph courtesy The Library of Congress

Greetings, Historian! Check out the Nez Perce National Historical Park to discover ways the Nez Perce used the natural resources around them.

Nez Perce The Nez Perce migrated to areas

where they could find their food. Permanent homes were long houses, where teepees (Tipis) were used as their travel shelter.

With the introduction of horses, Buffalo became a staple for food.

Nez Perce The Nez Perce wore

animals skins.

Interesting Fact: “Nez Perce” means

“Pierced Nose” in French. It was mistranslated by the guides for Lewis and Clark. In their native language, Nez Perce are called “Nimiipuu”- which translate to “The People”